Gravel to succeed Brault as president of Genesee & Wyoming Canada

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) appointed Louis Gravel as president of Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc. Gravel will succeed Mario Brault, who is retiring in September.

Gravel joins Genesee & Wyoming Canada from Rio Tinto/Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) where he was general manager of the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway (QNS&L) and IOC's Canadian port operations since 2006. For the previous 15 years, he served in various capacities at both IOC and QNS&L, including as superintendent of strategic rail projects and as manager of the engineering department.

"Louis brings a strong operating, commercial and leadership background to our Canadian rail operations," said GWI President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Hellmann. "In addition, his extensive knowledge of the labrador trough will support our service to that growing market."

Brault joined Genesee & Wyoming Canada in 2000 after 22 years with Canadian National. A civil engineer by training, he has devoted his entire career to the railroad industry and been active in a number of industry associations, including as the first chairman of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) Shortline Committee and as vice chairman of RAC's board of directors.

"Mario has led the transformation of Genesee & Wyoming 's Canada region, which has grown from two railroads in 2000 to eight today and the region's safety performance is among the best of GWI's operations worldwide," Hellmann said. "We are grateful for Mario's many contributions to GWI and the Canadian rail industry and look forward to Louis building on that success."